Athenian Way can prove her worth

Arch Swing won't be the only filly that John Oxx has an eye on tomorrow as, just 25 minutes after the 1,000 Guineas, Athenian…

Arch Swing won't be the only filly that John Oxx has an eye on tomorrow as, just 25 minutes after the 1,000 Guineas, Athenian Way can be fancied to pick up the Listed Victor McCalmont Stakes at Gowran Park.

Fran Berry's mount is one of four three-year-olds taking on the older horses and, while it is a big ask for the classic generation against their elders at this time of year, Athenian Way does look to be rapidly improving.

After a rather underwhelming first start of the season at Navan, she showed something more like her home form when getting the better of those old rivals Peeping Fawn and Regalline at the Curragh last time out, after which Oxx described her as being up to Listed class at least.

Athenian Way gets the chance to prove that now and with 15lb coming from the topweight Blessyourpinksox, she can get some valuable winning black type under her belt.

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Ger Lyons expects his Galileo colt Vincenzio Galilei to really blossom as a four-year-old but he can get off the mark at the second time of asking in the mile and a half classic trial.

Vincenzio Galilei has over seven lengths in hand of Mahler on Leopardstown running when he was only beaten a neck by the subsequent Ballysax winner More Wells. Mahler has won his maiden since but now has to give 5lb to the Lyons runner who should win well.

Ruby Walsh will be at Sligo where he teams up with Edward O'Grady again for the ride on Allgrownup in the second division of the mares maiden hurdle. This horse has reasonable placed form and managed a fourth to Moscow Flyer in the Punchestown charity race on her last start.

Carrigeen Kalmia was beaten the last time she tried to use an apparently good mark over hurdles but a shorter distance now should help Liz Lalor's mount.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column